Oh my dear Wangel,—do not let us lie to each other; nor to ourselves.

Wangel.

No, of course not! But what then?

Ellida.

Why, don’t you see—we can never get away from this—that a voluntary promise is to the full as binding as a marriage.

Wangel.

Why, what in the world——!

Ellida.

[Rises impetuously.] Let me leave you, Wangel!

Wangel.